Serco appoints new MD for Middle East

Having spent one year as Regional Director of Serco Middle East, Ashcroft will now take full control of Serco's group of businesses in the region.

Ashcroft brings over twenty years experience in senior management within the energy, facilities management and manufacturing industries. He has served with a number of leading international and regional corporations including Al Futtaim Engineering where he was Managing Director and Arabian Profiles, a Gibca group company.

Prior to his arrival in the Middle East some seven years ago, Ashcroft spent a total of fourteen years, including nine as Managing Director, with Emstar, a subsidiary of Shell UK.

Ashcroft said he was delighted with his new role in Serco and looks forward to leading the company and contributing to the Region's rapid growth. He said:

"Serco aims to be the leading service company in our chosen markets in the Middle East. We have over fifty years of heritage in the region and we are dedicated to providing assured world class services to help our customers achieve their ambitions."

"We have been successful in fostering long-term partnerships. A good example is Serco Gulf, our successful Facilities Management joint venture with Istithmar. The company brings high levels of expertise as well as international standards and best practice to the local FM market. Through Serco Gulf, we will concentrate on further developing our government services business."

Serco has also recently entered the Middle East Private Finance Initiative (PFI) market through a joint venture with the Mubadala Development Company (MDC) for a 14 year contract providing services and operations to the new UAE University in Al Ain.

John Ashcroft added:

"Our PFI investment reflects and supports the recently announced Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative by the Abu Dhabi Government and underlines our long-term commitment to the UAE."

Serco's association with the Middle East dates back to 1947, incorporating facilities management and consultancy, technology solutions, aeronautical services as well as oil & gas and utilities consultancy. Ashcroft's appointment follows a recent restructure of Serco's Middle East operations which saw the promotion of Grant Rumbles, formerly Chief Executive of Serco Continental Europe & Middle East, to Group Operations Director Serco Worldwide.

Serco is a regional pioneer in the field of Aeronautical Services and Technology Solutions throughout the GCC. Together with its strategic partners, Serco has been instrumental in delivering a number of 'first-of-its-kind' activities and systems in the region.